Thick and Thin Libertarianism

This short post cannot really do justice to the ideas within this debate in the libertarian world, but as that world is likely not known to many, I'll summarize the arguments about it.  Thin libertarianism is the general, popular image of libertarianism.  It's one where the prior concern for liberty is expressed through hostility towards oppression generated by governments.  To the extent that these arguments align with more traditionally leftist arguments, be they about the racist drug war, eminent domain, etc., libertarians are often viewed as somewhat more enlightened about oppression than those on the traditional right.  Thin libertarianism advocates for anarchism or minimalist government on the grounds that government is inherently oppressive to all individuals, regardless of social standing.

Thick libertarian arguments, on the other hand, posit that the libertarian commitment to opposing oppression and promoting individual liberty extends beyond a critique of government.  The social structures that repress the individual's ability to reach their own potential, usually traditional social rules and organizations, are just as problematic as the government itself--if not moreso.  Thick libertarianism advocates for causes related to racism, sexism, transsexism, etc. because they constrain the ability of individuals to self-actualize, to build communities of mutual respect and love.  When thick and thin libertarians agree on political issues (like the drug war, overcriminalization, etc.), thick libertarians are often more apt to cite the experiences of marginalized groups, in particular using their voices to explain in their own words how oppression impacts their lives.  

Thick libertarianism is quite attractive for a social worker.  In analyzing a political issue, you are able to use the incisive structural critique of Austrian and Public Choice political economy to understand the problems with involving centrally planned solutions to social problems.  At the same time, it allows you the flexibility to make arguments rooted in the shared experiences of oppressed populations that are persuasive to people to ascribe to some form of social justice.  

I bring up this issue because of the fantastic Center for a Stateless Society study on gender identity.  In addition to providing an excellent background to the oppression faced daily by people identifying as trans, it makes the compelling (though under-supported claim) that freed gender identity is necessarily a libertarian issue.  The author tends to assume away thin libertarian objections with too little argumentation and rhetorical support, but her conclusion, I believe is valid for thick libertarians.  If you find fellow-feeling with social justice but base that within an individualistic (not atomistic!) framework, freed gender identity should be a major issue.  Moreover, it provides a blueprint based on Charles Johnson's work for how to countermand the malign spontaneous order of trans oppression--consciously planned, emergent, and consensual social change based on the local level.  The rape crisis centers, drop-in centers, women's centers, and other feminist-inspired support networks become to people of diversity gender identity the trans shelters, clubs, centers, and networks.